Norwich Boot and Shoe Industry

Boot & Shoe Workers

We are at the very beginning of this project. Did you work in a shoe factory or did a relative/friend work in one If you can help please contact frances@cringleford.com. We have listed some of the jobs below but need to find out much more

The Manufacture of Shoes

Design Office: designer decided on a style

The Pattern cutter: produced a master pattern for each size for leather & and other materials. A pattern grading machine than produced in cardboard, edged in metal, a series of patterns for each size & fitting of shoe.

Clicking room: clickers cut the leather uppers

Closing Room: Worked on the uppers

Skivers: pared the leather where it is to be folded

Cementers: put on adhesive

Folders: fold over and fastern raw edges

Perforators: punch out any decorations in upper

Machinists then sewed uppers and lining together, using a machine similar to a domestic sewing machine.

New materials : coloured leathers and greater use of plastic for both soles and lasts

New more accurate press knives were used to cut soles & insoles to and exact shape (rather than completing the job in the press & preparing room) The new ‘unified’ or ‘prefinishing’ process produced a complete sole unit already attached to a heel

Moving transporters and conveyor belts replaced trolleys

Hot air settings plants – reduced the time shoes remained on the lasts and reduced the number of lasts needed.

Sewing on the sole became rare – replaced almost universally by cementing – which produced a lighter more flexible shoe

Norwich Heritage Projects is a voluntary group which receives no funding and make no profit. We can be contacted atinfo@norwich-heritage.co.uk